Sequim council approves 1% property‑tax levy increase, passes resolution 6–1

Sequim City Council voted to adopt its 2026 regular property‑tax levy and to apply the 1% allowable increase, passing the resolution on a 6–1 roll call vote.

Finance Director Sue Hagener told the council the 1% increase alone would raise roughly $19,000 but, combined with tax revenues from new construction and prior‑year refunds, the city expects an overall increase of about $50,000 in property‑tax receipts. Hagener also noted Sequim’s total assessed value recently surpassed $2,000,000,000 and that roughly $30,000,000 of assessed value came from new construction.

Councilors asked staff to clarify the arithmetic behind the $19,000 and $50,000 figures. Hagener explained the $19,000 represents the statutory 1% uplift on existing levies, while the additional amount comes from levies on newly constructed property and settlement/refund adjustments processed through the county.

During the roll call, Mayor Brandon Jenise voted no; six other council members voted in favor and the resolution passed. The adopted levy is included in staff’s 2026 revenue projections and is intended to support general government services such as police and parks.

Council directed staff to follow up on any technical questions, and Hagener remained available to detail how the additional receipts would be applied in the upcoming budget cycle.